Kenya: Rights Groups Sue State Over Alleged Political Violence Ahead of 2027 Polls

What the report says

Human rights organisations in Kenya have petitioned the High Court in Nairobi, asking judges to order state agencies to investigate alleged organised violence targeting political, civic and religious gatherings ahead of the 2027 General Election. According to Capital FM, the petition was filed at the Milimani Law Courts by the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Katiba Institute, the Independent Medico-Legal Unit and three other petitioners.

The groups say the State has failed to prevent, investigate and prosecute attacks they describe as politically motivated and aimed at people exercising constitutional rights. They want the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service and the Inspector-General of Police to probe the alleged networks behind the incidents, preserve evidence such as police records and CCTV footage, and submit files to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The petition also seeks court-supervised reporting, a dedicated multi-agency task force, and a national framework for preventing and responding to political violence.

The petitioners argue that intimidation at rallies, civic forums and religious events weakens rights to assembly, expression, worship and political participation. They say the problem has become more urgent as election activity intensifies. Capital FM reported that the filing refers to incidents since early 2025 and includes alleged attacks on KHRC offices in Nairobi in July 2025, though the claims have not been adjudicated.

If granted, the requested orders could require regular public updates from security and electoral bodies, and could shape how Kenya monitors and responds to politically linked violence in the months before the vote.